Posts Tagged ‘Australia’

Diggerworks is undertaking a feasibility study to determine the potential utility of a passive exoskeleton for ADF dismounted close combatants. The intended purpose of the systems is to transfer the weight burden of the soldiers’ carried equipment directly to the ground, helping the dismounted soldier arrive at their destination less fatigued and ready for battle.

As part of the exoskeleton trial, participants were fitted with a surrogate suit made of 3D printed plastic. The surrogate suit was fitted to ensure measurements were correct prior to manufacturing titanium suits.

The Australian Army tecently issued over 4,000 Crye Precision AirFrames to Tier 2 combatants in 1 Brigade. That alone is pretty big news.
Now here is where it gets interesting. Apparently, the procurement guys ordered, then cancelled, Crye helmet covers in AMCU. Looking at this photo it seems that someone local has made up some AMCU covers.

The tender for the remainder of the helmets (approximately 14,000 for both Tier 2 & 3) is being evaluated at the moment.

Do you want to work within a team that create and provide merchandise solutions for military and law enforcement clients?

We are looking for the right motivated person to step into an exciting new role at Platatac HQ.

Due to a high influx of custom work we are seeking an artistic, graphic designer with the presence and ability to comprehend customer direction and follow through to finished products.

Your role:

-To create designs, logos and concepts for merchandise such as tee shirts, caps, hoodys, patches, plaques, badges, flags, stickers ect.
-Liaise directly with the client from initial contact to completion.
-Seek out new exciting merchandise options for our clients.
-Communicate with multiple manufactures to ensure on time delivery.

Job requirements:

-In depth knowledge of design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
-Experience in the graphic design field or similar.
-Ability to learn and adapt quickly to in house processes.
-Experience with developing client relationships
-Sales background is desirable.
-Excellent communicator.
-Ability to work solo and within a team.

Full-time position Monday to Friday based at our headquarters in Hallam, Victoria.

Set to replace the current Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) and Australian Multicam Pattern Operational Combat Uniform (AMP OCU) as Australian Army’s only camouflage uniform, the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU) was officially launched earlier today at the Chief of Army’s Exercise in Brisbane.

As we’ve mentioned in the past, the new Australian MultiCam Pattern is a hybrid pattern and color palette that combines pattern features of AMP OCU with the original color palette used for the DPCU. The kit consists of Combat and Field uniforms as well as Bush Hat, Belt and Rank Slides. Each Close Combat Soldier will receive 2 Combat uniforms and 3 Field uniforms while all others will be issued 3 Field uniforms. The design for the Combat uniform has been slightly simplified from the previous issue and all gear will be manufactured in Australia. Rollout begins next month.

Australian Army soldier Corporal Thomas McCammont from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, helps a team-mate over an obstacle during the Duke of Gloucester Cup at Singleton, NSW. (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence, The Hon Stuart Robert MP said in an interview with Foreign Affairs,

“Defence is pleased to partner with Australian companies to manufacture the AMCU. I am confident the manufacturing of the AMCU in Australia not only supports local business, but also maintains high standards and keeps pace with current technology,” Mr Robert said.

“At the moment there are two manufacturers for the AMCU – Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) and Pacific Brands Workwear Group (PBWG).”

In closing, I’d like to point out that the Australian government modified this pattern (which is a national MultiCam derivative designed for them by Crye Precision) at their in-house labs. They could do this because they paid for the pattern.

One of our readers pointed out to us that the latest issue of the Australian Army News features the new General Purpose Jacket in AMCU camouflage. That one that folks said wasn’t going to happen when we posted a sneak peek.

Sources indicate that the Australian Army has decided to issue an ‘Australian MultiCam Camouflage Uniform’ (AMCU) as a replacement for both the legacy Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) as well as the recently fielded Australian Multicam Pattern (AMP) developed by Crye Precision. The new AMCU will use the AMP print screens but with the more traditional DPP/DPCU colors. We do not have any photographs yet but the current cut of AMP uniform can be seen below.

Below is the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform pattern which was developed in the early 80s with its unique colors for use in Australia.

This compromise appears to be more about branding and Australian identity than effectiveness, although testing has apparently been completed. It will join the new blue tinged RAAF version of AMP called the General Purpose Uniform as specialist color variants of a MultiCam based pattern.